Drive-by shooting suspect fired on police cruiser: VicPD

VicPD believes the suspect in Monday morning’s drive-by shooting fired on a police cruiser before evading capture, but they need the public’s help to pursue the charges.

Officers spotted a suspicious vehicle around 1:20 a.m. at the intersection of Quadra Street and Hillside Avenue, after a brazen drive-by shooting left a man wounded in front of the Strathcona Hotel on Douglas Street just minutes earlier.

Police pursued the vehicle up Hillside Avenue while someone fired shots towards the VicPD cruiser. Officers scoured the area today for shell cases but found nothing.

Officers eventually cornered the vehicle at Ryan and Shelbourne streets with the help of Saanich Police Department, and found a female driver and a firearm inside.

But police believe Dennis Grant Fletcher jumped out of the vehicle somewhere along the pursuit route and managed to evade capture.

Fletcher, 23, is wanted on a warrant for attempted murder in relation to the shooting, and is considered armed and dangerous. Whitney Rae Furber, in her early 20’s, is in custody and also faces charges of attempted murder.

Residents are being asked to report any suspicious holes or bullet casings on their properties to the non-emergency line at 250-995-7654

“If we’re going to be pursuing any charges with (the suspect) shooting at us, we certainly need that extra key piece of evidence,” said Const. Mike Russell.

Russell urged the public not to pick up or handle any shell casings, but to wait with the evidence until police arrive.

Fletcher is considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached. He is five-foot-seven, 130 pounds, with brown hair and a small scar on his chin. If you see him, call 911.